Corn starch is one of those humble household staples that’s often underrated — but once you know all its clever uses, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. From cleaning and beauty to kitchen hacks and beyond, corn starch can step in where specialty products often fail or cost more. Below are five more corn-starch tricks you absolutely should try — and they might just become go-to solutions around your home.
1.REMOVE CLOTHE STAINS
I know that clothing stains are a pain to deal with. They can make your outfit look bad and even if they aren’t noticeable, knowing that there is a stain on my favorite shirt still rests on my mind. But don’t worry, to get rid of the stain, just damp the stained area and sprinkle a spoonful of corn starch on it and let it sit there for 30 minutes. After that use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the area. Doing this will get rid of the stain.
2. DEODORIZE SMELLY SHOES
Smelly shoes are the worst. Usually, you would think that you can only smell them only when you take them off, but sometimes you can smell them even when they are on foot. One of the best ways you can deodorize your shoes is to sprinkle 1/2 cup of corn starch into each pair of shoes and let it sit in them overnight.
3. SOOTHE ITCHY/IRRITATED SKIN:
Itchy dry skin can be a real problem. One of the best ways to soothe itchy dry skin is to do the following. Mix 2 tbsp of cornstarch with equal amounts of water to create a paste-like substance. Then rub the paste on the itchy area. Let it dry and rinse it off with cold water.
4. HOMEMADE SOAP SCUM REMOVER:
Things you need:
- 3 tbsp of dawn dish soap
- Spray bottle
- 2 tbsp of corn starch
- 1/2 cup of vinegar
Mix all of these together and now you have your own DIY Soap scum remover. Just spray it on your shower walls and use a damp cloth to wipe.
5. CLEAN TILE GROUT:
This one is very simple to do. All you need to do is sprinkle a little corn starch and vinegar in between the tile grout and use a toothbrush to scrub in between them.
6. Freshen Up Smelly Shoes or Sneakers:
Sprinkle a small amount of corn starch inside shoes and leave overnight. In the morning, shake out or vacuum. The corn starch absorbs moisture & odor, leaving shoes fresher.
7. De-Grease Oily Lampshades or Cloth Surfaces:
If a lampshade, fabric lampshade, or cloth surface gets greasy, sprinkle corn starch over the spot and gently tap or let it sit 15–20 minutes before brushing or vacuuming off.
8. Dry Shampoo Alternative:
For a quick refresh on greasy roots, dust a little corn starch onto scalp (especially for light hair). Let it sit a couple of minutes, then brush it out. It absorbs excess oil until your next wash.
9. Soften Stiff Collars or Cuffs:
Add about 1 tablespoon of corn starch into a spray bottle with water (mix thoroughly), then lightly mist stiff fabric collars or cuffs. Iron gently — the starch softens the fabric and helps restore shape.
11. Preventing Seeds from Sticking in Jars:
When filling jars with herbs or seeds (like poppy, sesame, chia), mix in a pinch of corn starch first. It prevents the particles from sticking to the sides, making pouring easier later.
Conclusion:
Corn starch isn’t just for baking — it’s a versatile, inexpensive multitasker you can rely on around the home. Whether you’re fighting odors, taming grease, refreshing hair, or smoothing fabric, these additional hacks prove it. Try them out and experiment — you might just discover your own favorite corn-starch trick too!
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